Handle-Shaft-ClubHead

When I explain that good Impact is Handle end first, then the Shaft, then the Clubhead, most students say “of course”!
But, when they go to swing at the Ball, the opposite often happens.

Why?
Because most of us know that the Club's head is going to hit the Ball, it’s just human nature, common sense taking over.

Pictured is student Jim Ansite. He is a single digit handicap player, which means he’s a very good golfer. He clearly knows that the Clubhead “lags” on most shots. The Shaft is leaning slightly forward (towards target, pointing up towards leading shoulder complex), so the Handle has to lead for that to happen.

Right?

Trouble is, an inch “feels” like a foot!

This day I was trying to get Jim to go a little more forward at Impact, so I grabbed his club and put it where I wanted it at Impact. The ball was hit very solid and went a fair distance for a somewhat half swing.

Jim immediately felt the difference; I saw a light turn on in his eyes. All he needed was that extra inch to get the Handle/Hands to lead a little more past the ball at Impact. That little extra inch made a difference for him. He’s a low handicap player, but the principle applies to all players. Beginner or advanced golfer.

Relaxed Back Leg

Good Pivot conditions involve practicing / repeating motions so when you are on the golf course you can trust that training and let it (pivot-body) PARTICIPATE with our arm swings.

A relaxed, somewhat straight back leg is a part of those conditions. Some turn sharply on back swing, while others allow weight to transfer back to move forward.Whatever condition you start with at set-up should stay throughout swing. So,we don't want leg to "pop-up/out" or "bow-out", just stay as you were before swing.

So, look -look- look in a mirror while swinging until the condition(s) become a Feel.

Notice leg/knee bent like address.

Should be a somewhat straight leg.
not "bowed-out" or "popped-up".

The leg should feel relaxed on backswing.

Feel weight on inside of leg/foot.

Like you have a door-stop wedged on outside of back foot.

A "wooden" leg would work good.

Feel more up than down.

Sam had the best back leg.

leg and knee bend is ready for forward motion.

30% is probably the most weight the leg should absorb.

It assists in the swing transitions.

Some rely on leg more than others.

Your Head is center of your shoulder turn.

Leg will help keeping Shoulders loose, greased up, relaxed.

Some lean towards target, some less so.

Front/left knee often bends towards right,maintaining the center of gravity.

Impact vs Address

Here, studentBrian Krigmont demonstrates how the shaft starts out in what appears (mind's eye) to be perpendicular to the ground position, returns at impact with what appears as a forward lean of the shaft, which makes the clubface slightly open. The ball stays on the face until the shaft has returned to a different more forward perpendicular position. The club face should now be somewhat square to the target at separation when the ball leaves the club face.

Notice the lines that I had placed on the swing plane board, a hip swing plane board. The longer the ball stays on the club face, the more control (and distance) we will have to our shot making.

Happens real quick during impact, so quick it’s hard to believe. Trust me however, on your good shots, it is happening.

Often just visualizing the geometry (lines of the different shaft positions) can be a good practice thought. Get in front of a mirror and watch yourself swing in very slow motion. Where else would you want the shaft to be?

The club is built with a forward lean to it anyway, it’s telling you to: “use me the correct way…….please.”